HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 02.20.1990 CC-SCITY COUNCIL
CITY OF GEORGETOWN
P. O® BOX 409
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78627 -0409
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The City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in a Special
Meeting on the above date at 5 :00 p.m. with Mayor Tim Kennedy
presiding. The following members of the Council and officials were
present: Councilmembers Ercel Brashear, Winfred Bonner, Doak
Fling, Mike McMaster, Barbara Pearce, Joe Saegert and Shorty
Valdez; City Manager, Bob Hart, City Attorney, Diane Callander;
Deputy City Secretary, Leslie Barone, Fire Chief, Les Bunte; Chief
of Police, Hugh Anderson, Director of Development and Planning, Ed
Barry, Director of Community Services, Hartley Sappington
SPECIAL MEETING - 5 :00 P.M.
900091 Consideration of and Possible Action on an Ordinance
Amending Chapter 11 "Fire Protection and Prevention ",
Article I. "In General ", Article II. "Fire Department"
and Adding Subsection (c) of Section 11 -52 of Article
111. of the City of Georgetown Code of Ordinance /FIRST
READING /Les Bunte
Mayor Kennedy made statement that since this agenda item
has been deferred from the last regular City Council
meeting, there have been a number of comments which gave
the perception that differences between our volunteers
and our paid staff have threatened the protection of the
public. While the statements were untrue, it did the
community no good to let this issue lay unresolved,
consequently this Special Meeting was called. Since then
the Volunteer Association has met, voted again to
reaffirm their support of the original Ordinance by a
vote of 19 -2, with 2 abstentions. Also the Firefighters
Association met and has taken a neutral position on the
issue. Moreover, deferring this item has allowed
Councilmembers to further study and ask questions
concerning the issue. This Ordinance does not change
the number of paid firefighters and contains the
operational procedures which we currently have in place.
In fact, the chain of command in this Ordinance is the
same as has been used in the past 10 years here in
Georgetown. We are vitally concerned that our citizens
receive excellent fire protection services. We
appreciate the efforts of both our volunteers and paid
staff and know that they will continue their excellent
work now and in the future. With the we will open this
item for consideration.
Council Minutes -- Special Meeting 02/20/90 Page 1 of 2
DISCUSSION between Councilmembers with questions answered
by City Manager, Bob Hart, and Fire Chief, Les Bunte.
Topics discussed included the following: Expenses that
would be incurred if full time firefighting staff was
used vs. volunteer staff; Appreciation to the volunteer
department and clarification of point that City is very
proud of our volunteer fire department and feels that
they take a great deal of pride in the job that they do;
chain of command in the absence of the Chief.
Citizens comments by Elizabeth Schraft and Sam Nelson
reflected concerns regarding the following: Number of
volunteer firefighters that are available to fight fires
here in Georgetown, safety of homes; desire to have full
time firefighters vs. volunteers, concerns that number
of firefighters available for each fire be sufficient to
handle the situation and prevent excessive fire /smoke
damage.
Motion made by Councilmember Pearce and Second by
Councilmember Saegert to Approve this Ordinance as Read
on First Reading.
MOTION. PEARCE
SECOND. SAEGERT
MOTION CARRIED. 5 FOR
1 AGAINST (BRASHEAR)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11 "FIRE PROTECTION AND
PREVENTION ", ARTICLE I. "IN GENERAL ", ARTICLE II. "FIRE
DEPARTMENT" AND ADDING SUBSECTION (c) OF SECTION 11 -52
OF ARTICLE III. OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN CODE OF
ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS, AND
AMENDMENTS THERETO FOR PURPOSES OF CONFORMITY TO STATE
LAW, EFFICIENCY IN MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS, AND
COMPLIANCE WITH CURRENT PRACTICES OF THE CITY; PROVIDING
FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
900092 Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
Council, Mayor Kennedy adjourned the meeting.
TIME. 5 :29 P.M.
Tim Kennedy,
Leslie Barone, Deputy City Secretary
Council Minutes -- Special Meeting 02/20/90 Page 2 of 2